Jarrett Stidham will return as Bo Nix’s backup.
According to NFL Network’s lead league insider Ian Rapoport, the Denver Broncos have re-signed quarterback Jarrett Stidham. It’s a two-year deal for Stidham that will be worth up to $12 million dollars with $7 million of that guaranteed.
Source: The #Broncos are bringing back their backup QB, as Jarrett Stidham is returning to Denver.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 9, 2025
Stidham was hand-picked by Sean Payton to be insurance for Russell Wilson and he has spoken positively about him multiple times to the media. Payton trusted him to be the QB1 throughout the entire offseason program last year and through the start of training camp. Stidham pushed Nix for the starting job and by all accounts, had a solid camp despite ultimately losing the starting gig to the rookie quarterback. It just seems like Payton trusts Stidham and believes he can step in and run his offense if the starter were to go down.
While Stidham may not be viewed as a top backup quarterback, he has proven he can be a competent spot starter in limited action. Adding that with Payton’s trust in him, you have everything you look for in a veteran backup quarterback. He knows the system, the head coach trusts him, and he can come in and run the offense.
On top of all that, he and Nix, along with Zach Wilson, have bonded this season and have formed a friendship. Nix told reporters during the season that both Stidham and Wilson helped him tremendously throughout the season and that they are a close group.
“It’s really important. Those two guys have helped me tremendously. They’ve been great friends to me and great guys that have my back, that sort of thing off the field. Obviously, we’ve been able to have relationships off the field with our wives and things like that, so we’re just a close group. I think that plays an important role as this season goes on and gets longer and longer.”
So, bringing back Stidham made a lot of sense for the Broncos. Zach Wilson may have been the preferred option for fans but he’ll likely have better opportunities elsewhere in a weak quarterback market.
Stidham brings the Broncos a mentor for Bo Nix whom he has a good relationship with and someone he can lean on during the season. He can also be a reliable spot starter in a pinch if Bo Nix were ever to miss some time and be able to run Sean Payton’s offense effectively.
This seemed like a logical re-sign for both sides and it makes sense that they got in done. Now, the Broncos can truly enter an offseason without any concerns or issues at quarterback for the first time since Peyton Manning was running the show in the Mile High City.